4 properties for sale
Playa Ocotal is a small, hillside community five minutes south of Playas del Coco, built around a dark-sand cove that is one of the calmest swimming and snorkeling beaches in Guanacaste. There is no town center to speak of, and that is the point: Ocotal is where people live when they want Coco's restaurants and services ten minutes away but prefer to come home to quiet streets, howler monkeys, and sunsets over the Papagayo peninsula.
The housing stock is mostly condos and villas on the hills above the bay, many with ocean views, plus a handful of single-family homes in gated developments like Vista Ocotal and along the ridge toward Playa Hermosa. Prices start well below Coco for studio and one-bedroom condos, which makes Ocotal a favorite for first-time buyers and for owners who want a rental that pays for itself while they are away.
Most of Ocotal's homes and condos sit on the hillsides above the cove, so views are part of the package in more places than you might expect. Buyers often start with established communities like Bahia Pez Vela and with new construction at Vista Ocotal, then compare them against options back in Playas del Coco. Because we manage vacation rentals in Ocotal as well as Coco, we can tell you honestly how a unit on this side of the hill rents and lives, and our guide to Playa Ocotal living covers daily life here.
Coco is the town: shops, restaurants, nightlife, the public beach, and most of the services. Ocotal is the residential cove just south of it, quieter and hillier, with a calmer swimming beach and more ocean views. Most Ocotal residents drive into Coco several times a week, so buyers usually choose based on how much town they want at their doorstep.
Yes, particularly one- and two-bedroom units with a pool. Guests who stay in Ocotal are typically looking for a quieter base near Coco, and the beach is a genuine draw for snorkeling and paddleboarding. Our team manages rentals in Ocotal and can show you real numbers for comparable units.
Our current listings in Ocotal range from $97,000 to $655,000. Ocean views, walking distance to the beach, and gated communities with pools carry a premium; inland lots and older Costa Rican homes offer the most for the money.
